Research

The Group is part of external page PSI’s Electrochemistry Laboratory, Switzerland’s largest Center for Electrochemical Research.

Research is focused on the development and in-depth understanding of materials, processes and devices for the conversion of renewable energy into electricity or chemical energy carriers. Especially in the context of a sustainable energy system utilizing hydrogen as an energy carrier its electrochemical energy conversion is of particular importance. In this topical context the goal is the in-depth understanding of technologies like Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFC), Polymer Electrolyte Electrolyzer Cells (PEEC) for water electrolysis, processes like the co-electrolysis of CO₂ and water and electrochemistry of nitrogen containing compounds, respectively.

The R&D strategy involves activities on four pathways: i)  cell engineering; ii) component development (e.g., membranes, electrodes, MEAs); iii) research in electrocatalysis and interfaces and the reaction kinetics of the important underlying reactions for improved understanding of intrinsically limiting factors; and iv) the development and application of advanced in situ/operando imaging and spectroscopic tools on cell, component and material levels including analyses of the electrode-electrolyte interface.